FAA Sport Pilot Airplane (SPA)Airspace and NavigationMedium
A pilot is flying 8 nautical miles from the primary airport of a Class C airspace area at 3,000 feet AGL. The Class C airspace has the standard structure: a 5 NM radius core surface to 4,000 feet AGL, and a shelf extending from 5 to 10 NM at 1,200 to 4,000 feet AGL. What airspace is the pilot currently in?
- AClass D airspace
- BClass E airspace
- CClass C airspace (outer shelf)
- DClass G airspace
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Class C airspace (outer shelf)
At 8 NM from the primary airport, the aircraft is within the outer shelf (5–10 NM radius), and at 3,000 feet AGL it falls within the shelf's vertical limits of 1,200 to 4,000 feet AGL. Therefore, the pilot is inside Class C airspace and must establish two-way radio communication with ATC before entering.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Class D surrounds smaller towered airports without the shelf structure described.
- B. Class E would only apply outside the charted Class C boundaries.
- D. Class G is uncontrolled airspace near the surface, not applicable at this altitude/location.
Class C Airspace Structure
Class C airspace typically consists of a 5 NM radius core from the surface to 4,000 ft AGL and an outer shelf from 5–10 NM at 1,200–4,000 ft AGL, requiring two-way radio contact before entry.
- Core: 5 NM radius, surface to 4,000 ft AGL
- Shelf: 5–10 NM radius, 1,200–4,000 ft AGL
- Two-way radio contact required before entering any part
Memory trick: Think of an upside-down wedding cake: small core, wider shelf above